Mapping Strategic Goals and Operational Performance Metrics for Smart Manufacturing Systems

AbstractThe complexity of the relationship of strategic goals to operational performance across the many levels of a manufacturing system inhibits the realization of Smart Manufacturing Systems (SMS). This paper proposes a method for identifying what aspects of a manufacturing system should be addressed to respond to changing strategic goals. The method uses standard techniques in specifying a manufacturing system and the relationship between strategic goals and operational performance metrics. Two existing reference models related to manufacturing operations are represented formally and integrated to support the proposed method. The method is illustrated for a single scenario using agility as a strategic goal. By replicating the proposed method for other strategic goals and with multiple scenarios, a comprehensive set of performance challenges can be identified

Pressure-induced and Composition-induced Structural Quantum Phase Transition in the Cubic Superconductor (Sr/Ca)_3Ir_4Sn_{13}

We show that the quasi-skutterudite superconductor Sr_3Ir_4Sn_{13} undergoes a structural transition from a simple cubic parent structure, the I-phase, to a superlattice variant, the I'-phase, which has a lattice parameter twice that of the high temperature phase. We argue that the superlattice distortion is associated with a charge density wave transition of the conduction electron system and demonstrate that the superlattice transition temperature T* can be suppressed to zero by combining chemical and physical pressure. This enables the first comprehensive investigation of a superlattice quantum phase transition and its interplay with superconductivity in a cubic charge density wave system.Comment: 4 figures, 5 pages (excluding supplementary material). To be published in Phys. Rev. Let

Mapping Strategic Goals and Operational Performance Metrics for Smart Manufacturing Systems

The complexity of the relationship of strategic goals to operational performance across the many levels of a manufacturing system inhibits the realization of Smart Manufacturing Systems (SMS). This paper proposes a method for identifying what aspects of a manufacturing system should be addressed to respond to changing strategic goals. The method uses standard techniques in specifying a manufacturing system and the relationship between strategic goals and operational performance metrics. Two existing reference models related to manufacturing operations are represented formally and integrated to support the proposed method. The method is illustrated for a single scenario using agility as a strategic goal. By replicating the proposed method for other strategic goals and with multiple scenarios, a comprehensive set of performance challenges can be identified. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.111215Ysciescopu

Bandwidth Widening Strategies for Piezoelectric Based Energy Harvesting from Ambient Vibration Sources

Due to the fact that the ambient vibration sources are random and unpredictable, therefore a vibration based energy harvesting device is desirable to be able to operate at wider bandwidth in an envelop of frequency range to generate maximum electrical output. In this paper, various ambient vibration from household appliances, machineries, vehicle and moving vehicle were measured and investigated. The second part of the paper will discuss the strategies to harvest these ambient vibration sources. An array of piezoelectric multi-cantilever is proposed to address the issue of single piezoelectric cantilever with high Q-factor. Two configurations of multi-cantilever were fabricated in a form that elevated from the substrate as freestanding structures. One with six cantilevers of constant width but different lengths and another with five cantilevers of constant length but different widths. The measurement and experimental results show a frequency band of 200 Hz to 300 Hz as a common bandwith between the vibration sources and the capability of miniature piezoelectric energy harvester in harvesting maximum electrical energy

Expression of Components of the Renin-Angiotensin System by the Putative Stem Cell Population Within WHO Grade I Meningioma

Aim: We have recently demonstrated a putative stem cell population within WHO grade I meningioma (MG) that expressed embryonic stem cell (ESC) markers OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, KLF4 and c-MYC, localized to the endothelial and pericyte layers of the microvessels. There is increasing recognition that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a critical role in stem cell biology and tumorigenesis. This study investigated the expression of components of the RAS: pro-renin receptor (PRR), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II receptor 1 (ATIIR1), and angiotensin II receptor 2 (ATIIR2) on the putative stem cell population on the microvessels of WHO grade I MG.Methods: 3,3-Diaminobenzidine (DAB) immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed on WHO grade I MG tissue samples from 11 patients for PRR, ACE, ATIIR1, and ATIIR2. Two of the MG samples subjected to DAB IHC staining underwent immunofluorescence (IF) IHC staining to investigate co-expression of each of these components of the RAS in using combinations of CD34 and ESC marker SOX2 or OCT4. NanoString mRNA expression analysis and Western blotting (WB), were performed on six snap-frozen MG tissue samples to confirm mRNA and protein expression of these proteins, respectively.Results: DAB IHC staining demonstrated expression of PRR, ACE, ATIIR1, and ATIIR2 within all 11 MG tissue samples. WB and NanoString mRNA analyses, confirmed protein and mRNA expression of these proteins, respectively. IF IHC staining showed PRR, ATIIR1 and ATIIR2 were localized to the OCT4+ and SOX2+ endothelium and the pericyte layer of MG while ACE was localized to the OCT4+ endothelium of the microvesels.Conclusion: The novel finding of the expression of PRR, ACE, ATIIR1, and ATIIR2 on the putative stem cell population on the microvessels of WHO grade I MG, suggests that these stem cells may be a potential therapeutic target by manipulation of the RAS